City group blasts Tank Farm secrecy

The level of secrecy with the Tank Farm development on the Auckland waterfront is unparalleled since the Les Mills days of the original Britomart scheme, says Heart of the City.

In a sometimes testy political exchange yesterday, the central city business group criticised Auckland City councillors for discussing the largest waterfront development in the city's history in secret and failing to provide a clear vision for the 35ha site.

The group made a presentation to the urban strategy and governance committee before the chairman, Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker, moved that the public be excluded so councillors could discuss two reports on the tank farm behind closed doors.

Heart of the City spokesman Greg McKeown said the level of secrecy was not building trust with the Auckland public.

He said a survey of 4045 residents had indicated 76 per cent wanted more open space and 95 per cent opposed apartments on the 8ha headland jutting out into the Waitemata Harbour.